Tag city council

The Constitution: Atlanta, GA

Tuesday, December 21, 1909

The announcement made in council yesterday afternoon that the street committee would meet in special session on Friday of next week for the purpose of reconsidering its recommendation to change the names of Marietta and Decatur streets, indicates very clearly that not only the committee, but council, is about to escape the mess in which both committee and council were in a fair way to become entangled.

It is worthy of note that only a few years ago a street committee of council recommended the change of names of these two streets, and when the report was submitted to council, so emphatic was the protest that even the members of the street committee adversed their own report and voted against the very change they had recommended.

It is to be hoped that the present street committee will do itself the credit of adversing its report in this instance, for there can be no doubt that the city is overwhelmingly opposed to this proposed change of name of two historic Atlanta thoroughfares.

The word “Atlanta” itself is no more indissolubly identified with the city than are the names by which a few of the principal residential and business streets are designated in history, in legal matters, and in everyday usage.

Pryor and Peachtree, Whitehall and Capitol avenue, Peters and Courtland, Washington and Ivy, Walker and Spring, West Peachtree and Gordon, and so on indefinitely – each one of these names recalls to the Atlanta of both generations clear-cut and tangible associations.

Marietta and Decatur streets are no less permanently connected in the public mind with evolution, growth, business and tradition.

Because here and there undesirable or unpleasant elements have projected themselves, there is no more excuse for abandoning appellations that are of honored derivation and of honored present significance, than there would be in changing a man’s name to reform him.

Both streets are now being rehabilitated, and can be further rehabilitated by means more lasting and effectual than an appeal to unthinking flippancy.

It is a reflection on the dignity and the high functions of the city council of the south’s metropolis, that it should be called upon to invest time in even rejecting such superfluous and frivolous proposals.

And yet, periodically, some member is inspired to agitate innovations of this nature, and always with the same inevitable result.

Every previous suggestion to alter the name of some central or well-established thoroughfare has invariably created a storm of popular protest.

In no important instance has council acceded to the scattered and finicky hysteria to tamper with the titles of prominent thoroughfares, but continued and emphatic rebukes of this character seem to glide harmlessly off the backs of one on to the next council that feels called upon to grapple with the same old question.

But we believe this lesson of the pending episode will settle the question for at least a few years.

It is high time for this “up the hill and down again” horseplay to come to an end.

Formidable problems face the council of Greater Atlanta.

Its members have not the time, certainly they should not have the inclination to fritter away energy in bubble-blowing of this kind.

The Constitution: Atlanta, GA

Sunday, October 25, 1903

The understanding among the members of council is that the fight for change in the name of Smith street from Whitehall street to Glenn street is not yet over. Representatives of the second ward declare that the residents of Smith street are determined to have a new name for their street, and will have another petition before council during the next session of that body.

It will be remembered that it was the intention to change the name to Whitehall place, but it was discovered that one Whitehall place already exists, and this caused Mayor Howell to veto the measure. Residents of Smith street want the name changed for the reason that Smith street for a portion of its way is settled by negroes and runs through Pittsburg.

The real estate men, headed by Forrest Adair, and the attorneys of Atlanta have been anxious to have council discontinue the habit of changing the names of streets. They have made a fight on Smith street.

Councilman James E. Warren has in mind an ordinance which he may present during the next session of council. It provides that the name of Atlanta streets be changed only by a two-thirds vote of council. This, he believes, will have the effect of making a proposed change in the name of a street so difficult and important a matter that few will attempt it.

The Constitution: Atlanta, GA

Thursday, October 22, 1903

Mayor Howell announced yesterday morning that he would place his veto upon the resolution which changes to Whitehall place the name of Smith street from Whitehall to Glenn street. This he will do for the reason that there is already one Whitehall place in Atlanta. The city code shows that it runs from Brotherton to Fair street.

The proposed change in the name of Smith street has attracted considerable attention, mainly because of the opposition of the real estate men and the members of the bar to the measure. Forrest Adair made speeches before both the street committee, of which Alderman Terry is chairman, and before council, but the members of both bodies disagreed with his views and voted to change the name of the thoroughfare.

When the resolution went to Mayor Howell for his consideration Mr. Adair again appeared and presented arguments against the proposed change in the name of the street. Mayor Howell announced that he would hear from the other side before reaching a decision, but before those who favor the change of name could be heard Secretary Goodwin discovered in the city code that there already exists a Whitehall place and he so informed the mayor yesterday morning which resulted in an immediate veto.

The Constitution: Atlanta, GA

Wednesday, October 21, 1903

Proposed Change in the Name of Smith Street Was Discussed Before Him Yesterday.

Arguments against changing the names of streets were heard yesterday morning by Mayor Howell. Forrest Adair, who appeared for the real estate men and attorneys of Atlanta, spoke against the custom. Representatives of the other side will be heard by the mayor whenever they desire.

The speeches were based upon the measure which changes the name of Smith street, between Whitehall street and Glenn street, to Whitehall place. Mayor Howell has until next Thursday evening to decide whether he will approve or veto the measure.

The resolution changing the name of the street was vigorously opposed by Mr. Adair both before the street committee and during the session of council, but notwithstanding his objections and despite the petitions from real estate men and members of the local bar, council voted to change the name of the street.

Tuesday, October 20, 1903

The protest made by Mr. Forrest Adair to the city council yesterday against the frequent and often capricious changing of the names of streets in the city is deserving of that body.

The value of certainty in the metes and bounds used in describing real estate grows in importance with the growth of the city. The activity of the real estate market is dependent in large measure upon the accuracy and permanency of such descriptions, the more so as the city fills up with new citizens. They are unacquainted with our old maps and the metamorphoses of local names. They look only to the chain of titles and, as Mr. Adair says, they frequently refuse a property because of the vagarious changes of the names of streets that occur in consecutive deeds.

A yet greater reason why council should be slow to change the names of our thoroughfares is the fact that already the names of landmark streets have been changed, the honors paid to pioneer citizens obliterated and names that should have remained linked with localities and thoroughfares crossed off our map for fanciful and unsuggestive substitutes, in some cases these changes have almost amounted to a profanation of the fathers of the city. The names of former mayors, even of that one who heroically bore the interests of the city in the awful days of Sherman’s siege and occupancy, the noble James M. Calhoun, have been sacrificed for meaningless titles.

Change Whitehall street to “Commerce avenue,” Marietta street to “Bucephalus boulevard,” and Peachtree street to “Elite avenue,” and by those three simple substitutions that can be adopted in three minutes in council, the Atlanta of history and of common knowledge and pride throughout Georgia and the union will be obliterated.

Patriotic and commercial reasons, especially the important one of making readable and acceptable titles to real estate, are plenty enough to cause council to deliberate long before it takes down the names of well-known streets to replace them with the tony and pride-tickling titles that have been invented without rhyme or reason. We trust the city is at the end of that sort of uncalled for vandalism.

TUESday, October 20, 1903

Was Changed to Whitehall Place by Council Yesterday.

The name of Smith street, from Whitehall street to Glenn street, was Monday afternoon changed by council to Whitehall place and if Mayor Howell gives his approval to the measure it will become a law.

Forrest Adair, for the real estate men, spoke against the change of name, but the members of the body believed that the wishes of the residents of the street should be regarded.

The report of the street committee, which was favorable in changing the name of Smith street to Whitehall place, having been read, the privilege of the floor was extended to Forrest Adair, who spoke against the custom of changing the names of the streets. A number of real estate men and attorneys were present.

Mr. Adair said:

“Before final action is taken on the report of the street committee to change the name of Smith street to Whitehall place I desire to present certain facts taken from the record in reference to the custom or habit into which the council has fallen of making such changes.

“In doing this I wish to distinctly disclaim any desire to personally oppose any of the residents of that street. I am interested in the ownership of property on the street, and will aid them in any movement that may lead to its improvement.

“I have prepared from the records a list which I herewith present to you, showing that four hundred and forty-seven changes have been made in the names of streets, several of them having borne as many as eight different names.

“This causes serious trouble and inconvenience to the real estate agents, attorneys and to the property owners themselves in trading titles when real estate is sold, it being well nigh impossible to convince one from the record of the correct identity of the lot so variously described.

“My firm has just sold a piece of property on the corner of Walton street and Tabernacle place, and the deed of the present owner describes it as being on the corner of Walton and Harris streets, while the next deed in the chain of title describes it as being on the corner of Foundry street. I have actually known of titles being rejected on account of the doubt as to identity.

“How many of you gentlemen of the city council can now direct a stranger to the six Peachtree streets? We have the one peerless Peachtree, and in addition, West Peachtree, Peachtree place, West Peachtree place, Peachtree road and East Peachtree terrace, which, however, has recently been changed back to its original name, because no one can find it.

“Smith, the street now under consideraytion, has been variously known as Stephen, South, Simpson, Newman and Gate City.

Named for a Pioneer.

“This street was named for an honored pioneer citizen, Mr. Windsor Smith, who, in the ante-vellum days, together with the Colliers, Jones, Loyd, Calhoun, Joseph Thompson, Richard Peters and others, were by their brain, industry and enterprise helping Marthasville to discard her swaddling clothes, thereby making this great city of Atlanta a possibility.

“In 1861, just as the darkness and gloom of a civil war appeared on the horizon, Mr. Smith died, and ten years later his friends and neighbors, who knew of his value and worth to the community, paid to his memory a tribute by giving one of the cities arteries of trade his name.

“The others were in like manner honored by those who thought it fitting to in some way carry down to after generations the names of the fathers of our beloved city.

“One by one, and for no good reason, in order to gratify the whim of the residents, whose minds are as vacillating as the winds, you have ruthlessly taken away this honor and shattered the only monuments to many of them.

“Calhoun was changed to Piedmont and absolutely no benefit has been derived therefrom.

“Loyd to Central avenue, and lots on that street bring no more per front foot.

“Collins to Courtland, and yet Maison de Joie still flourish furnishing superior facilities for our sons to prostitute their persons, debauch their souls and cut each other down in midnight drunken brawls.

“You robbed Joseph Thompson, the father of Mrs. Richard Peters, Mrs. Thomas M. Clarke, Joseph and Edgar Thompson, of the tribute paid to him because, by your permissions, the street had become disreputable.

“A rose by any other name would smell as sweet,” and Madison avenue today with its cess pools and slimy sewers of men’s passions, its supurating sores, its reeking ulcers on the social body, emits its stinking odors as high toward the heavens as Thompson street ever did.

Clean the Streets.

“If our only monuments of marble and bronze, erected to Hill and Grady, were to become damaged or discolored, would you change their names or cleanse them? In all respect to you gentlemen, I say that your duty was to remove the stain from the streets rather than efface the tribute to the memory of the grand men who had been thus honored.

“In West End, near my home, are two streets named for the two heroes, Lee and Gordon, and on the north side, Forrest avenue, named for the recklessly valiant genius, whose name I am proud to bear.

“A councilman who would even suggest a change of these names would bring down upon himself the condemnation of his constituents, and the resolution if read in this chamber would be drowned with hisses.

“The names of these heroes are reverenced by us because they led in the fight for principles and for a cause we love and yet I say to you that in the battle of building up our city and its enterprises, Thompson, Calhoun, Colliers, Smith, Peters and others fought just as valiantly, ever ready to lay upon the altar their labor, their fortunes or their lives.

“I submit that aside from the legal authority with which you may be clothed, viewing this matter in its broader sense of right and justice, you really have no right to make such changes, and I apeal to you in behalf of the families of these pioneers who did more for our city than any man who lives today and in behalf of the business men and citizens at large, to put a stop to this absolutely unnecessary and confusing custom of changing the names of streets.”

Councilman Winn, who presented the resolution changing the name of Smith street, stated that he had done so because the residents of the thoroughfare had requested him to have the name changed.

The report of the street committee was adopted and the name of Smith street from Whitehall to Glenn streets, will therefore be known in the future as Whitehall place if the mayor approves.

Saturday, October 17, 1903

Startling State of Affairs Brought to Attention of Councilmen.

Evidence of Proposed Change in Name of Smith Street, Which Is Favorably Recommended by Street Committee.

The fact that more than 225 streets of Atlanta have had from two to eight names, resulting in confusion and trouble to the real estate agents and the attorneys, was brought to the attention of the street committee of council, of which Alderman Terry is chairman, yesterday afternoon by Forrest Adair, who introduced this evidence in opposing the proposed change in name of Smith street to Whitehall place.

Petitions from fifty-eight members of the bar and from twenty-one real estate dealers were presented to the committee by Mr. Adair at the same time he offered a list of those streets whose names have been changed.

Notwithstanding the statements of Mr. Adair and the petition from attorneys and real estate men the committee decided to again recommend that the name of Smith street be changed. The matter now goes to council, where it will be acted upon during the session next Monday afternoon. Residents of the street desire the change in name.

In opposing the proposed change in the name of the street Mr. Adair state that in many instances titles had become so confused as a result of the constant change in the names of streets that parties now claim land that is in no manner described by their deeds.

Parties who desired to sell their land and those who desired borrowing money on their property often found it impossible to attain these ends because of the changes that had been made in the names of the streets. In addition to this, he said, there is no index to the records of the city, and as a consequence it is with much difficulty that the identity of the present streets is established.

Changes in Street Names

The list presented by Mr. Adair, showing the changes in the names of about 225 streets, is as follows:

The city will soon have a new park near the Davis street school, to be known as “Blank park,” or at least that’s the way it appears in the ordinance adopted by council yesterday, dedicating the tract in question as a park and putting it under control of the bard of park commissioners.

An effort was made to have the new park designated as “Mims park,” in honor of the present mayor, but council preferred to leave the matter of the name to the park board and it took that course.

Reports received from the park commission and from the board of education with regard to the matter were read to council. The park commission agreed to take the tract of nine acres, in front of the Davis street school, and situated in both the first and fifth wards, under its care, provided council would dedicate it permanently to park purposes, would have it graded by the commissioner of public works, and would appropriate $600 to put it in condition as a park.

The board of education approved the plan for making a public park of the tract provided the strip of land between the school and Davis street shall be left for school purposes, and provided also that the park shall be properly policed so that there will be no interference with school exercises or with the school children by the crowds gathering there.

The councilmen from the first and fifth wards were anxious to have the matter settled at once, so that work on the new park may begin without delay. Severl of them made speeches urging action at once, and Councilman Fincher, who started the movement, and Councilman Minhinnet were especially anxious to have the matter settled forthwith.

Alderman Welch thought there should be further consideration of the question and moved its reference to a special committee composed of the chairman of the park commission, the chairman of the school committee, the city attorney and the city engineer.

It was urged that such action would defeat the efforts to establish the park this year, because trees will have to be planted before March 1st if they are planted at all this season.

Councilman Minhinnett offered a substitute for the motion of Alderman Welch to the effect that the reports of the park commission and the board of education be received and that council appropriate $600 from the contingent fund for the purpose of putting the tract in shape as a part at once. This motion was adopted, council only voting. Councilman Hill cast the only adverse vote to this proposition.

Later in the meeting an ordinance dedicating the tract which is at Davis and Spencer streets to permanent use a a park, putting it under control of the park commission and appropriating the required $600, was read a second time under suspension of the rules and adopted.

Before the ordinance was adopted Councilman Grady, speaking for Councilman Hill, who was under the weather, and for himself, moved that the park be named “Mims park,” in honor of the present mayor.

Councilman Fincher suggested that the naming of the park be left to the lady teachers at Davis street school, but withdrew his suggestion when Councilman Minhinnett moved that the naming of the new park be left to the park commission. This motion was adopted, and for the present it will remain “Blank park.”

The work of grading the new park will probably be begun this week, and within a few days the work of planting 900 trees there will be begun.

He Declares Football Is Too Brutal for This Clime—Council Adopts Ordinance Quickly.

—————

The general council of Atlanta has stolen a march on the Georgia legislature and has won the distinction of enacting the first anti-football law. Sad news to the school boys, but true. The decree has gone forth that no more games shall be played within the limits of the capital city.

The days of football in Atlanta are gone. No longer will the boys meet on the gridiron to test their strength and skill and powers of endurance. This applies to footballists of all colors, ages and degrees: amateurs, professionals and plain footballists; all are on the same footing.

Yesterday Atlanta’s city fathers arose with almost one accord and with one swoop wiped football from the list of sports which can be indulged in the city. There was a brief struggle, weakening opposition, and then the deed was done; the ordinance was passed and now goes to the mayor for sanction before becoming effective.

Near the end of the quiet session of the council, when the members had already packed away their desk papers and began to restlessly await the motion to adjourn, Alderman Woodward quietly arose and said he had a proposition. The alderman secured the attention and he sent to Clerk Green’s desk a paper which he asked to be read, as follows:

The Anti-Football Ordinance.

“An ordinance to prevent the playing of the game of football in the city limits of Atlanta and in any territory incorporated for police purposes:

“Be it ordained by the mayor and general council of Atlanta that from and after the passage of this ordinance, it shall be unlawful for any person or persons to engage in or play the game of football within the city limits of Atlanta, or on any territory incorporated for police purposes.

“Be it further ordained that any person or persons violating this ordinance shall be subject to a fine of $100 or imprisonment for thirty days, either or both, in the discretion of the recorder.”

Mr. Woodward’s Roast of the Game

Mr. Woodward said the time had come when football should be suppressed.

“The game of football is entirely too brutal for this day of enlightenment and progress,” said Mr. Woodward. “It is a game in which the powers of endurance of the players are tested, often to the injury of the members of the teams. Players are hurt in nearly every game that is played, and many have been seriously injured or killed.

“It has only been a short time since an Atlanta boy was hurt in the game so badly he died from his injuries, and some time ago another Atlanta boy was killed while playing the game. The untimely death of young Gammon, of the University team, resulting from the injuries received in the game at Brisbine park Saturday afternoon, should be taken as a warning, and we should adopt an ordinance making it unlawful for the game to be played in this city, now while the question is before us.”

Councilman Peters Has a Question.

Councilman Peters is a young man, and he did not take kindly to the football ordinance. He used to play the game, and it occurred to him that the ordinance was a little broad in its provisions.

“Will this ordinance prevent the school boys from playing football?” asked Mr. Peters.

“It will, and that is why I offer it,” replied Mr. Woodward. “The boys are apt to be killed at any time, and it our duty to put a stop to the playing of the game, and save the parents of Atlanta anxiety.”

A motion was made to refer the ordinance to the ordinance committee, but the council members voted it down, and they then adopted the ordinance.

So, football in Atlanta is ended; long hair and other paraphernalia will now be sent to the junk pile. Football yells will no longer drive the nervous population to distraction, and peace will reign in the land.

The Cyclists of the City Are Beginning To Talk About Wheel Tracks and Better Roadway Improvements.

The bicyclists of the city will not be given exclusive rights on Peachtree and Pryor streets during certain hours of the evening. The ordinance committee of the council will make an adverse report on an ordinance turning the streets over to the cyclists during the hours from 4 to 8 o’clock p. m.

The proposed ordinance was designed to prohibit traffic of all kinds on the streets; leaving the roadways clear for the wheelmen. The matter came up on a petition signed by a number of cyclists of the city and when it was presented to the council the paper was referred to the ordinance committee.

Chairman Colvin, of that committee, caused an ordinance to be drawn up on the line of the petition so that the matter could be properly acted upon. Yesterday afternoon the committee was called together and after considerable discussion it was decided to report the ordinance to the council with an unfavorable recommendation. There is said to be a good deal of opposition to the project and it seems as if the question will fail of adoption.

While there are some councilmen who do not think the streets can be regulated in favor of the cyclists, still there is a growing sentiment in favor of providing better roadways for the popular mode of travel by many people. The cyclists say that the streets are in bad condition in many places and it will be no surprise to many at an early date to see the wheelmen of the city among those to urge the necessity of street improvements and the laying of such paving as is best for the riders.

In many cities of the country the wheelmen have taken a prominent part in the matter of public improvement legislation and in many places they have succeeded in persuading towns and cities to provide roadways where they formerly had none. The rapid increase in the number of cyclists is argued by them to justify their demand that the authorities begin to consider the question of better roadways. In some cities tracks and speedways are being constructed as a result of the agitation of the wheelmen.

It is said that the Atlanta wheelmen are vigorously opposed to the laying of any more belgian blocks on the principal thoroughfares and that they favor asphalt or brick pavement, making the roadways suitable for good riding. Of course, the number of wheelmen is as yet comparatively small as compared with the whole population, but as the riders increase so does the demand for better streets. The cyclists say that they are part of the public and that the growing popularity of wheel transit should cause the city authorities to look after their interests more than has been done in the past.

Peachtree and Pryor streets are, of course, two popular thoroughfares for the wheelmen, because those streets are asphalted in the case of the first and paved with smooth vitrified brick in the second instance. Every afternoon and early evening there can be seen scores of riders, male and female, spinning along at the top speed, exercising after the day’s work or out for a breath of fresh air. These streets are so popular among the riders that they determined to ask the council for better protection and the matter will be brought up Monday on the report of the ordinance committee agreed to yesterday.